Ezra 1-2

 

Ezra 1

Ezra 1:1 The decree of Cyrus is repeated from Chronicles. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23) This demonstrates that God determines the course of human history, not Tyrants controlled by Satan. This is believed to have happened in 538 BC. We should not be confused that this decree occurred in Ezra’s time, he was a scribe recording history. In context, there are a few key dates.

• 586 BC - The Babylonian captivity begins with the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, the temple is destroyed. (2 Kings 25:8-21; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21)
• 538 BC - The decree of Cyrus. The first return to Jerusalem begins with Zerubbabel leading them. (Ezra 2:2) 
• 458 BC - Ezra goes to Jerusalem. (Ezra 7:1-9)
• 445 BC - Nehemiah leads a group back. (Nehemiah 2:1-9)

Ezra 1:2-4 In reading the specifics of Cyrus’ decree, one has to wonder if the Jews had gotten comfortable in Babylon, despite the fact that their being there was the result of a justly due punishment. (2 Chronicles 36:15-20) Would they even have cared about returning to Jerusalem if Cyrus hadn’t issued the decree? Is the modern church so comfortable in the world that it would take a presidential decree to get us to do something significant?

Ezra 1:5-6 Then those whose hearts were open to the moving of the Holy Spirit within them, of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the Levites made preparations. This would be a long and arduous journey, not just logistically, but also dangerous relative to warring tribes and criminal gangs along the way. They really had to have deep trust that God would be with them.

Ezra 1:7-11 This inventory of temple furnishings suggests a question. If we were going to the heavenly Jerusalem, what would be the inventory of things that we would want to go with us? (Revelation 14:13) The true Jerusalem is always up from where we are, at least until the new Heaven and new earth when it descends. (Revelation 21:10) 

Ezra 2

Ezra 2:1 The return to Israel from Babylon after the declaration by Cyrus rings a bell relative to the return of the Jews to Palestine after the Balfour declaration, with George V in the role of Cyrus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfour_Declaration

In both cases, the returning Jews faced great opposition from the natives of the land. The numbers were significantly different. About 40,000-50,000 Babylonian refugees returned, compared to approximately 600,000 who moved to Palestine and then Israel in the 20th century.   The exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt was even bigger, numbering about 600,000 men (Numbers 1:46, 26:51), not counting the priests and Levites, nor women or children.

We can look at this return as God bringing something good out of something bad. The Jews had been exiled because of their sin, but their return ultimately paved the way for the incarnation, so that Jesus could be born and God’s plan of salvation could be completed. The restoration of the state of Israel in modern times is believed by many to set the stage for the fulfillment of the end times prophecies. 

Ezra 2:2-67 The census of those who returned to Jerusalem in the first wave may have omissions, since the sum of the individual groups is smaller than the total given. (2:64) Or perhaps there were casualties along the way, so it would have differed depending on when the headcount or census was taken.  Death rates of up to 10% were not uncommon in wagon trains of the American west. 

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/death-on-trails.htm

Ezra 2:68-69 When we read of the treasure they brought with them, we can conclude that the Jews were well-off in Babylon. 61,000 darics of gold and 5,000 Mina’s of silver were donated by people to the journey. Apparently the word daric is of uncertain meaning, but the NIV says with respect to its use in respect to building the first temple when David charged Solomon with, that 10,000 darics were donated, about 84 kg. (1 Chronicles 29:7) The first return to Jerusalem was blessed with over six times as much gold, slightly over 500 kg, worth over $70,000,000 in today’s market at a spot price of $149,000/kg. The 5,000 Minas of silver was approximately 2,800 kg, worth about $6,000,000 at today’s spot price of $2,200/kg. The inventory of vessels of precious metal is different from that counted out by Cyrus’ treasurer (compare 1:11 to 2:69), but this is explained by free will offerings of the people.

Ezra 2:70 Everyone settled in their own towns. As is discussed later, Jerusalem was not safe.